Why Does Cancer Return After Treatment? Key Reasons Explained

Recurrence of Cancer: After getting cancer treatment, the doctor always advises the patient to get regular cancer-related checkups. This shows whether the cancer cells are emerging again or not. Even after the cancer patients are treated properly, when they go for a checkup, they always have the fear of getting cancer again. What is the reason for cancer recurring even after treatment? It is very important to know its causes so that the possibility of cancer recurring can be reduced.

What are the reasons for cancer recurring?

Regarding this, the Doctor says, “Despite successful treatment of cancer, there may be chances of it coming back. There can be many reasons for cancer recurring. Therefore, even after the doctor declares the patient cancer-free, one should consult the doctor and keep getting tests done regularly.”

Cancer cells remaining - The most important thing is that despite chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, some cancer cells can remain in the body. These cells start growing again with time, and the chances of cancer recurring can increase.

Type of cancer is important - In many cases, the chances of it returning increase significantly if the cancer is rare. Patients who have glioblastoma (brain or spinal cord) cancer have a 90 percent chance of getting cancer again. In this way, despite successful treatment, ovarian cancer can recur in 85% of cases.

Stage of cancer - If cancer is treated in the initial stage, then the chances of cancer recurring are reduced to a great extent. In the advanced stage, cancer cells remain in the body even after surgery. Due to this, in many cases, cancer can return after a few months or years.

Lack of proper treatment - In some cases, the reason for recurrence of cancer has also been seen that people's cancer was not treated properly the first time or the patient left the treatment incomplete. This greatly increases the chances of getting cancer again.

Symptoms of getting cancer again -

According to doctors, although the patient may experience different types of symptoms when cancer recurs, usually, these symptoms are more common.

Loss or gain of weight without any reason
Feeling tired even after resting
Slight or more pain in some parts of the body
Formation of lumps
Swelling
Any major change in digestion

What should be the treatment?

Doctors say, "In case of recurrence of cancer, the treatment depends on which part of the body has cancer again and how much it has spread in the body. Usually, doctors recommend chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy. The most important thing for the doctor is to control the cancer cells as soon as possible and improve the quality of life of the patient. Doctors always insist that the cancer cells should be completely removed from the patient's body."